Analysis of Social and Inner Conflicts in George Orwell's 'Nineteen Eighty-Four'.
ii
Maranatha Christian University
ABSTRACT
Dalam skripsi ini saya akan menganalisis konflik-konflik dalam novel
yang berjudul Nineteen Eighty-Four karangan George Orwell.
Nineteen Eighty-Four berpusat pada kehidupan tokoh-tokoh yang tinggal
di negara yang menganut sistem totalitarianisme. Tokoh utama di novel tersebut
ingin memperjuangkan kebebasan dirinya dan oleh sebab itu mengalami kesulitan
karena sistem pemerintahan totalitarianisme yang sangat mengekang dan otoriter.
Pada akhirnya, tokoh utama pada Nineteen Eighty-Four akhirnya
menyerah dan tunduk terhadap sistem pemerintahan totalitarianisme. Saya
berkesimpulan bahwa sang penulis menulis buku ini untuk memperingatkan para
pembacanya bahwa totalitarianisme bukanlah sebuah sistem pemerintahan yang
(2)
i
Maranatha Christian University
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS ...i
ABSTRACT ... ii
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION Background of the Study ... 1-3 Statement of the Problem ... 3
Purpose of the Study ... 3
Method of Research ... 3
Organization of the Thesis ... 4
CHAPTER TWO: ANALYSIS OF SOCIAL AND INNER CONFLICTS IN GEORGE ORWELL’S NINETEEN EIGHTY-FOUR ... 5-17 CHAPTER THREE: CONCLUSION ... 18-20 BIBLIOGRAPHY ... 21
APPENDICES Synopsis of Nineteen Eighty-Four ... 22
Biography of the Author ... 23
(3)
22
IX. SUMMARY OF NINETEEN EIGHTY-FOUR
Winston Smith is a man who lives in Oceania, which is a totalitarian
country. It is ruled by a government called the Inner Party, which is led by a
mysterious man called Big Brother. The Inner Party controls all aspects of the
citizens’ lives. No one is allowed to have ideas different from those promoted by
the party. Winston is no exception. However, he secretly hates Big Brother and
has some thoughts of rebelling against the law.
One day, at his workplace, Winston is suddenly given a love letter by a
girl whom he has always suspected as a spy. Her name is Julia. They start to see
each other secretly, for the Inner Party forbids the citizens to be involved in
romantic relationships. Winston and Julia frequently meet at a bedroom above an
antique shop, thinking that it is a place that is safe from the government’s
surveillance. However, the owner of the shop turns out to be a Thought Police, a
secret agent whose job is to find the law-breakers. Both Winston and Julia are
arrested and sent to the correctional institution of Oceania, the Ministry of Love.
During his imprisonment, Winston experiences many terrible things. He is
physically and psychologically abused. It does not take long for him to realize that
the government’s goal is not only to kill him, but to make him love Big Brother
before killing him. After a series of tortures, which include the use of rats, which
are his phobia, Winston is forced to abandon all of his previous thoughts of
rebelling. In the end, he gives up and accepts the reality that he must love Big
(4)
23 X. BIOGRAPHY OF THE AUTHOR
Born as Eric Arthur Blair, George Orwell was born on June 25, 1903, in
Motihari, Bengal, in the then British colony of India. When he was one year old,
his mother brought him back to England. At the age of five, he attended a small
Anglican parish school in Henley. An intelligent boy, he managed to impress his
teachers and got a scholarship to St. Cyprian’s School, one of the most successful
preparatory schools in England at that time. He later got two other scholarships to
Wellington and Eton colleges, where he made friends with a few future British
intellectuals.
Due to his family’s poor economic condition, Blair did not attend any
university. After finishing his study at Eton, he joined the Indian Imperial Police
in Burma. He resigned, returned to England in 1928 and began his writing career.
Blair adopted his pen name, George Orwell, in 1933. George was the name of the
patron saint of England, while Orwell was a name inspired by one of his most
favorite places in England, the River Orwell.
After a brief volunteering as a soldier during the Spanish Civil War in
1937, an experience which sparked his hatred for totalitarianism, he started to
write again. In 1945, his very successful anti-Stalinist allegory, Animal Farm, was
published. He is also best known for his dystopian novel, Nineteen Eighty-Four,
which was published in 1949.
He died at the age of 46 because of tuberculosis.
(5)
1
Maranatha Christian University
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
Totalitarianism is a system of a government in which “the political
authority exercises absolute and centralized control over all aspects of life, the
individual is subordinated to the state, and opposing political and cultural
expression is suppressed.” (“Totalitarianism”) In totalitarian countries, “individual
rights count for nothing. Citizens must obey the government without question, and
critics are silenced.” (“The Rise of Totalitarianism”) An example of a totalitarian
state is Russia when it was ruled by Joseph Stalin, Italy when it was ruled by
Benito Mussolini, Germany when it was ruled by Adolf Hitler and present North
Korea, which is ruled by Kim Jong Un (despite the popularity of democracy
which has increased over the years, North Korea is still a totalitarian state up to
the present time).
Totalitarianism has become the main subject of interest for some
well-known authors. George Orwell is one of those authors. He wrote one of his most
(6)
2
Maranatha Christian University
to analyse in my thesis, to criticize totalitarianism. Dystopia itself means a
community or a society, set mostly in the future, that in some important ways
undesirable and even frightening. Nineteen Eighty-Four is a success. It has
managed to make it into Time Magazine’s list of 100 best English novels since
1923 and some of the phrases from the novel like ‘doublethink’ and
‘thoughtcrime’ even made an impact in English language. They have become
common phrases in the subject of totalitarianism. Having been through some
bitter experiences with totalitarianism when he was volunteering as a soldier in
the Spanish Civil War, “Orwell was not only inspired to write, but he made his
goal in writing to reveal the faults of a totalitarian system.” (Sedlak)
I chose Nineteen Eighty-Four to be analysed because the novel is filled
with issues concerning totalitarianism. Through this thesis, I intend to make
people understand that totalitarianism is a horrible and dangerous government
system.
The setting of place and time in Nineteen Eighty-Four takes place in a
dystopian society somewhere in the future. Since the system of totalitarianism
aims to take control over its citizens, conflicts are inevitable among people under
the totalitarian government systems.
Using formalism, I am going to analyse conflict, which is “the struggle
between two opposing forces.” (Flanagan) There are three types of conflict:
physical/elemental conflict, which is conflict between man and the physical
world, social conflict, which is conflict between man and man, and
psychological/inner conflict, which is conflict between desires within a man.
(7)
3
Maranatha Christian University
social conflicts and inner conflicts. I am going to use formalism, with the help of
some understanding about totalitarianism, to analyse the social and inner conflicts
in the novel.
Statement of the Problems
The problems that I am going to analyse are as follows:
1. What kind of conflicts happens in the novel?
2. What is the cause of each conflict?
3. Is each conflict resolved?
Purpose of the Study
The purpose of the study in my thesis are formulated in the following phrases:
1. To show what kind of conflicts happen in the novel.
2. To show what the cause of each conflict is.
3. To show whether each conflict is resolved.
Method of Research
I used the library research, in which I first read the primary text, George
Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four. In addition, I got some information from the
Internet to support my analysis. I used formalism to analyse the social and inner
conflicts in the novel. Finally, I drew some conclusions from my analysis and
(8)
4
Maranatha Christian University
Organization of the Thesis
My thesis consists of three chapters. Chapter One is the Introduction,
which consists of Background of the Study, Statement of the Problem, Purpose of
the Study, Method of Research, and Organization of the Thesis. In Chapter Two,
there is the analysis of social and inner conflicts in George Orwell’s Nineteen
Eighty-Four. Chapter Three contains the Conclusion; it is followed by the
Bibliography and the Appendices, which include the synopsis of Nineteen
(9)
18
Maranatha Christian University
CHAPTER THREE
CONCLUSION
After analyzing the conflicts in Nineteen Eighty-Four in the previous
chapter, I would like to draw some conclusions. In my opinion, Nineteen
Eighty-Four is a book that is worth analyzing. The conflicts in the book give me
knowledge and deeper understanding about the characteristics of a totalitarian
government and how the citizens suffer under the regime. Each conflict provides
me with different findings about the terrifying traits of totalitarianism.
In Nineteen Eighty-Four, I find some social conflicts between Winston and
O’Brien about whether the citizens’ thoughts and opinions may differ from the
state’s or not, and between Winston and his ex-wife, Katharine, about whether sex
is for pleasure or merely a tool to produce more children for the country. From the
conflicts, it can be seen that totalitarianism forbids individual opinions and social
relationships, such as friendship and love, so that the people will not trust each
other. This finding is not surprising as totalitarian governments are characterized
(10)
19
Maranatha Christian University
The second inner conflict happens when Winston should decide whether to
continue loving Julia or not as he faces dreadful tortures from the Party. Tortures,
both physical and psychological, are also common in totalitarianism. From the
social and inner conflicts in the novel, we can see that the conflicts are all caused
by the totalitarian government system.
People who live in a totalitarian society have absolutely no freedom,
whether it is to speak, to act, to desire, to aspire or to love. The government has an
absolute control over its people. The citizens have to do what the government tells
them to do, just like Winston has to believe that two plus two equals five and that
Oceania has always been at war with Eastasia. They are not allowed to want
anything, to wish for anything, and even to love anybody. It is forbidden for
Winston to fall in love with Julia. Sexual acts are not performed out of love, but
simply as a duty to produce children for the country. Katharine, Winston’s
ex-wife, is indoctrinated that sex is neither for pleasure nor love, but to produce the
new generation of the country. Spies are everywhere, ready to catch those who are
suspected of rebelling against the country. Punishments, usually harsh ones, await
those who rebel.
I also notice that the citizens in the novel are not happy at all. Though they
act as if they live happy lives, deep down they actually suffer because the
government determines all their actions and they have absolutely no freedom.
They also have a constant fear that they might do things that are deemed wrong by
the country.
The society has also indoctrinated their citizens since they are little. In
(11)
20
Maranatha Christian University
In the end, after experiencing such social and inner conflicts, Winston in
Nineteen Eighty-Four is forced to give up all his rights and freedom. He then
becomes what the government calls “a good citizen,” which is actually a slave to
Oceania’s totalitarian ruler, Big Brother.
I think Orwell’s motive to write Nineteen Eighty-Four is caused by his
past experiences. He experienced living under a totalitarian government and he
despised it. Orwell hated totalitarianism because of his horrible experiences while
volunteering as a soldier in the Spanish Civil War (in this war, the opposing side
adopted Fascism, a part of totalitarianism). He had a near-death experience
when he was shot through the throat by a sniper in 1937. Orwell wrote Nineteen Eighty-Four at the end of his life to warn people about the danger of
totalitarianism and I think he has succeeded in doing it.
After analyzing the social and inner conflicts in Nineteen Eighty-Four, I
sympathize with the protagonists and generally all the citizens of those totalitarian
societies. It must be awful to have no freedom and to have your life controlled so
extremely by the government. I cannot help but agree with Orwell that
totalitarianism is really horrible and frightening. Totalitarianism only cares about
the well-being of its rulers. Totalitarianism kills freedom, individuality and
creativity. Citizens are all forced to become slaves for their rulers without them
even knowing it. It is an awfully selfish form of government and will bring no
(12)
21
Maranatha Christian University
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Primary Texts
Orwell, George. Nineteen Eighty-Four. London: Secker and Warburg, 1949. Print.
References
Flanagan, Mark. “Conflict.” Contemporary Literature Guide. 2011. Web. 7 Apr.
2012.
Murphy, M. J. Understanding Unseen: An Introduction to English Poetry and the
English Novel for Overseas Students. London: George Allen &
Unwin, 1972. Print.
Sedlak, Rudy. “Orwell on Totalitarianism.” The Orwell Reader. 1996. Web. 7
Apr. 2012.
“The Rise of Totalitarianism.” California Department of Education. 2005. Web. 7
Apr. 2012.
(1)
3
Maranatha Christian University social conflicts and inner conflicts. I am going to use formalism, with the help of some understanding about totalitarianism, to analyse the social and inner conflicts in the novel.
Statement of the Problems
The problems that I am going to analyse are as follows: 1. What kind of conflicts happens in the novel? 2. What is the cause of each conflict?
3. Is each conflict resolved?
Purpose of the Study
The purpose of the study in my thesis are formulated in the following phrases: 1. To show what kind of conflicts happen in the novel.
2. To show what the cause of each conflict is. 3. To show whether each conflict is resolved.
Method of Research
I used the library research, in which I first read the primary text, George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four. In addition, I got some information from the Internet to support my analysis. I used formalism to analyse the social and inner conflicts in the novel. Finally, I drew some conclusions from my analysis and wrote the research report.
(2)
Organization of the Thesis
My thesis consists of three chapters. Chapter One is the Introduction, which consists of Background of the Study, Statement of the Problem, Purpose of the Study, Method of Research, and Organization of the Thesis. In Chapter Two, there is the analysis of social and inner conflicts in George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four. Chapter Three contains the Conclusion; it is followed by the Bibliography and the Appendices, which include the synopsis of Nineteen Eighty-Four and the biography of George Orwell.
(3)
18
Maranatha Christian University
CHAPTER THREE
CONCLUSION
After analyzing the conflicts in Nineteen Eighty-Four in the previous chapter, I would like to draw some conclusions. In my opinion, Nineteen Eighty-Four is a book that is worth analyzing. The conflicts in the book give me knowledge and deeper understanding about the characteristics of a totalitarian government and how the citizens suffer under the regime. Each conflict provides me with different findings about the terrifying traits of totalitarianism.
In Nineteen Eighty-Four, I find some social conflicts between Winston and O’Brien about whether the citizens’ thoughts and opinions may differ from the state’s or not, and between Winston and his ex-wife, Katharine, about whether sex is for pleasure or merely a tool to produce more children for the country. From the conflicts, it can be seen that totalitarianism forbids individual opinions and social relationships, such as friendship and love, so that the people will not trust each other. This finding is not surprising as totalitarian governments are characterized by the use of many spies in their societies as a way to prevent possible rebellions.
(4)
The second inner conflict happens when Winston should decide whether to continue loving Julia or not as he faces dreadful tortures from the Party. Tortures, both physical and psychological, are also common in totalitarianism. From the social and inner conflicts in the novel, we can see that the conflicts are all caused by the totalitarian government system.
People who live in a totalitarian society have absolutely no freedom, whether it is to speak, to act, to desire, to aspire or to love. The government has an absolute control over its people. The citizens have to do what the government tells them to do, just like Winston has to believe that two plus two equals five and that Oceania has always been at war with Eastasia. They are not allowed to want anything, to wish for anything, and even to love anybody. It is forbidden for Winston to fall in love with Julia. Sexual acts are not performed out of love, but simply as a duty to produce children for the country. Katharine, Winston’s ex-wife, is indoctrinated that sex is neither for pleasure nor love, but to produce the new generation of the country. Spies are everywhere, ready to catch those who are suspected of rebelling against the country. Punishments, usually harsh ones, await those who rebel.
I also notice that the citizens in the novel are not happy at all. Though they act as if they live happy lives, deep down they actually suffer because the government determines all their actions and they have absolutely no freedom. They also have a constant fear that they might do things that are deemed wrong by the country.
(5)
20
Maranatha Christian University In the end, after experiencing such social and inner conflicts, Winston in Nineteen Eighty-Four is forced to give up all his rights and freedom. He then becomes what the government calls “a good citizen,” which is actually a slave to Oceania’s totalitarian ruler, Big Brother.
I think Orwell’s motive to write Nineteen Eighty-Four is caused by his past experiences. He experienced living under a totalitarian government and he despised it. Orwell hated totalitarianism because of his horrible experiences while volunteering as a soldier in the Spanish Civil War (in this war, the opposing side adopted Fascism, a part of totalitarianism). He had a near-death experience
when he was shot through the throat by a sniper in 1937. Orwell wrote Nineteen Eighty-Four at the end of his life to warn people about the danger of totalitarianism and I think he has succeeded in doing it.
After analyzing the social and inner conflicts in Nineteen Eighty-Four, I sympathize with the protagonists and generally all the citizens of those totalitarian societies. It must be awful to have no freedom and to have your life controlled so extremely by the government. I cannot help but agree with Orwell that totalitarianism is really horrible and frightening. Totalitarianism only cares about the well-being of its rulers. Totalitarianism kills freedom, individuality and creativity. Citizens are all forced to become slaves for their rulers without them even knowing it. It is an awfully selfish form of government and will bring no good for its citizens.
(6)
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Primary Texts
Orwell, George. Nineteen Eighty-Four. London: Secker and Warburg, 1949. Print.
References
Flanagan, Mark. “Conflict.” Contemporary Literature Guide. 2011. Web. 7 Apr. 2012.
Murphy, M. J. Understanding Unseen: An Introduction to English Poetry and the English Novel for Overseas Students. London: George Allen & Unwin, 1972. Print.
Sedlak, Rudy. “Orwell on Totalitarianism.” The Orwell Reader. 1996. Web. 7 Apr. 2012.
“The Rise of Totalitarianism.” California Department of Education. 2005. Web. 7 Apr. 2012.